METM26 presentation

An introduction to worldbuilding theory

Andrew Hodges, Edinburgh, Scotland

Worldbuilding can make a novel richer, but without due care, speculative fiction writers can quickly end up in a situation resembling a game of three-dimensional chess. Writers often need help with refining their worldbuilding so each element included is intentional and makes sense in the context of their story, and this is where fiction developmental editors can help.

In this session, I will begin with a presentation offering an introduction to worldbuilding theory. I will outline the six “C”s of effective worldbuilding and then cover common problems fiction developmental editors encounter linked to them.

We will then have a go at identifying worldbuilding problems ourselves, analysing brief extracts from novels. There will be time for individual reflection and audience discussion; participation will be optional.

We will end with a short Q&A about fiction developmental editing.

This presentation will be accessible to all. It is designed for fiction editors, literary translators, and writers, but it will also be of interest to non-fiction editors who enjoy reading fiction.

In this session, you will:

• learn about the six ”C”s of speculative fiction worldbuilding
• learn about common worldbuilding problems authors encounter
• apply that knowledge to identify and solve worldbuilding problems in short extracts

About the presenter

Andrew Hodges is a developmental and copy editor of fiction and cultural anthropology. They edit fantasy-fiction novels with interesting mythmaking or worldbuilding and cultural anthropology projects with strong social justice elements. They have a PhD in social anthropology from the University of Manchester and completed editorial training with the University of Chicago and the CIEP. They are a member of MET, the CIEP, the EFA, the British Fantasy Society, and the LGBTQ+ Editors Association.